Column combination switch for automobile

ABSTRACT

The invention is intended to extend the receiving distance in a remote keyless entry system for automobile, and minimize the direction limitations. To achieve the object, the invention comprises a column combination switch main body ( 1 ) having a light control switch unit ( 2 ) and a wiper control switch unit ( 3 ), and also includes receiving means for receiving signals from a transmitter main body ( 12 ) of a remote keyless entry system, thereby constituting a column combination switch for automobile incorporating a remote key less entry system wide in the receiving range.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a column combination switch forautomobile installed in a steering column of an automobile.

BACKGROUND ART

A prior art is described while referring to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8. FIG. 6 isa block diagram of a conventional column combination switch forautomobile. Reference numeral 19 is a column combination switch mainbody, and reference numeral 20 is a light control switch unit, in whichvarious switches are incorporated including the light switch,dimmer-passing switch, and turn switch. Reference numeral 21 is a wipercontrol switch unit, which accommodates various switches relating to thewiper including the front and rear wiper switches and washer switch.Reference numeral 22 is control means. Reference numeral 23 is aconnector for communicating between the column combination switch andexternal devices by signals, and these signal communications arerealized by a multiplex transmission system.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are system diagrams of remote keyless entry system. InFIG. 7, reference numeral 12 is a transmitter main body of remotekeyless entry system, reference numeral 13 is a signal generator forgenerating an aerial propagation signal, reference numeral 14 is amemory unit storing specific information, reference numeral 15 is apower source of the transmitter main body 12, reference numeral 16 is atransmission circuit for converting the output electric signal from thesignal generator 13 into a radio signal and transmitting, and referencenumeral 17 is a operation switch of the transmitter main body 12.Reference numeral 24 is a receiver main body, 25 is a power source unit,reference numeral 26 is a memory unit storing specific signals,reference numeral 27 is a comparator for comparing with receivedspecified information, reference numeral 28 is control means, andreference numeral 29 is a receiving unit, which is connected to thecontrol means 28. The receiving unit 29 of the receiver main body 24 isaccommodated in the door of an automobile main body 31 as shown in FIG.8, and a controller 30 for locking and unlocking the door is alsoincorporated in the door.

In this conventional system, the mutual relation of constituent elementsand operation are described below. When the switch units 20, 21 of thecolumn combination switch are manipulated, signals showing switchpositions of the switch units 20, 21 are put into the control means 22,and the control means 22 processes these signals, and communicates withthe external system through the connector 23. On the other hand, in theremote keyless entry system, by pushing the operation switch 17 of thetransmitter main body 12 side, the signal generator 13 issuesinformation of the memory 14, and transmits the information specified bythe transmission circuit 16. In the receiver main body 24, specifiedinformation is received in the receiving unit 29, and the processedsignal is compared with the specified information stored in the memoryunit 26 in the control means 28 by the comparator 27, and when the bothare matched, a door lock or unlock signal is issued to the controller30, so that the vehicle door is locked or unlocked.

That is, without having to insert the key into the keyhole in the door,the specified information is transmitted from the transmitter main body12, and compared with the specified information stored in the receivermain body 24 at the vehicle side, and when the both are matched, thedoor is locked or unlocked. When attempted to lock or unlock the door byinserting the key into the keyhole in the door, if carrying something inboth hands or in the nighttime, it is hard to insert the key smoothlyinto the keyhole in the door, and it takes much time, or the vehicle maybe scratched by the edge of the key. Instead of the key, by transmittingthe specified information from the transmitter main body 12 to thereceiver main body 24 at the vehicle side, the door is locked orunlocked. Therefore, by transmitting specified information from thetransmitter main body 12, and comparing the specified informationreceived in the receiver main body 24 and the specified informationstored in the memory unit by an electronic circuit, the door can belocked or unlocked. This system may be also applied in various controldevices, such as the trunk room lid locking and unlocking device,windowpane opening and closing device, or engine starting device.

Thus, in the remote keyless entry system, the signal from thetransmitter main body 12 is received by the receiving unit 29 built inthe door, and the door is locked or unlocked by comparing process, butsince the receiving unit 29 in the door is surrounded by metal panels,which makes it hard to receive radio waves, and in the signal receivingrange, the distance from the receiving unit 29 is short, and thereceiving direction is also limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the problems, the column combination switch for automobile ofthe invention is comprised by integrating the receiving means of theremote keyless entry system. In this constitution, by integrating thereceiving device of the remote keyless entry system in the columncombination switch, the transmission signal of the remote keyless entrysystem transmitted from outside of the automobile is hardly blocked, andthe receiving distance is longer, and the direction limitation is alsoreduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a column combinationswitch for automobile integrating a remote keyless entry system inembodiment 1 of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a transmitter of theremote keyless entry system used in the column combination switch forautomobile;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the column combination switch forautomobile in an automobile;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operating state of the columncombination switch for automobile;

FIG. 5 is an antenna layout example of the column combination switch forautomobile;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a conventionalcolumn combination switch;

FIG. 7 is a system block diagram showing a constitution of aconventional remote keyless entry system; and

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a conventional remote keyless entrysystem and column combination switch in an automobile.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1

Embodiment 1 of the invention is described below while referring to FIG.1 to FIG. 5.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a column combinationswitch and a remote keyless entry system in embodiment 1 of theinvention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a constitution of atransmitter of the remote keyless entry system, and FIG. 3 is aconfiguration diagram of the remote keyless entry system and columncombination switch in an automobile. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing theoperation from getting on to getting off the car of the driver and theoperating state of the microcomputer.

In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 is a column combination switchmain body, reference numeral 2 is a light control switch unit, referencenumeral 3 is a wiper control switch unit, reference numeral 4 is acontrol circuit connected to the light control switch unit 2 and wipercontrol switch unit 3, reference numeral 5 is a memory unit for storingspecific information for distinguishing the signal from the transmittermain body of the remote keyless entry system inside the control circuit4, reference numeral 6 is a comparator for comparing the signal of theremote keyless entry system and the information of the memory unit 5 inthe control circuit 4, reference numeral 7 is a converter for convertingthe radio signal received in the control circuit 4 into an electricsignal and issuing, reference numeral 8 is a receiving antenna of radiosignal of the remote keyless entry system disposed in the light controlswitch unit 2, reference numeral 9 is a connector for connecting thecontrol circuit 4 and other electric control unit, reference numeral 10is a controller for opening or closing the lock of the remote keylessentry system connected to the control circuit 4 through a connector 9,and reference numeral 11 is other electric control unit connected to thecontrol circuit 4 through the connector 9. In FIG. 2, reference numeral12 is a transmitter main body of the remote keyless entry system,reference numeral 13 is a signal generator, reference numeral 14 is amemory unit for storing specific information of the transmitter mainbody 12, reference numeral 15 is an internal power source of thetransmitter main body 12, reference numeral 16 is a transmission circuitfor converting the output electric signal of the signal generator 13into a radio signal and transmitting, and reference numeral 17 is anoperation switch of the transmitter main body 12. In FIG. 3, referencenumeral 18 is an automobile main body, which has the column combinationswitch main body 1 accommodating the receiver of the remote keylessentry system.

The operation is described below while referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

When manipulating the transmitter main body 12 of the remote keylessentry system from outside of the automobile, a characteristic radiosignal is transmitted to its transmitter from the signal generator 13and memory unit 14 of the transmitter main body 12. When this signal isreceived by the receiving antenna 8, the signal is converted into anelectric signal in the converter 7, and is transmitted to themicrocomputer of the control circuit 4 in the column combination switchmain body 1. The microcomputer compares this signal with the informationof the memory unit 5 in the comparator 6, and when they are matched, asignal for opening or closing the lock is transmitted to the controller10, and the operation for locking or unlocking is executed. Or whenmanipulating the wiper control switch unit 3 and light control switchunit 2 of the column combination switch main body 1, the signal is putinto the microcomputer and processed, and transferred to other electriccontrol unit 11. In the operation of the remote keyless entry system, bydisposing the receiving antenna 8 in the column combination switch mainbody 1, as compared with the case of disposing at the door inner side asseen from the outside of the automobile, disturbance of the signal bythe automobile itself is decreased, and the signal receiving range iswidened.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation from getting on to gettingoff the car of the driver and the operating state of the microcomputer.

Suppose the switch 17 of the transmitter main body 12 of the remotekeyless entry system is manipulated, then the specific informationtransmitted from the transmitting circuit 16 is put into themicrocomputer in the control circuit 4 through the receiving antenna 8and converter 7. At this time, the microcomputer judges if the remotekeyless entry system has been manipulated or not at step 101, and whenjudged to be manipulated, the specific information is compared at step102, and when judged to be matched, at next step 103, a signal istransmitted to the controller 10, and the control for opening or closingthe lock is executed at step 104. If judged that the remote keylessentry system is not manipulated at step 101, or when the result ofcomparison of the specific information at step 102 is judged not to bematched, the process returns to the start step, and the same steps areexecuted repeatedly.

After the opening and closing control of the lock, at step 105, it isjudged if the remote keyless entry system is manipulated or not, and ifjudged to be manipulated, at step 106, start control of the engine isexecuted, and its status is judged. If judged that the engine is notstarted at step 106, the process returns to step 105, and the same stepsare executed repeatedly.

At step 106 of start control of the engine, if engine start is judged,at step 107, it is judged if the column combination switch has beenmanipulated or not, and when judged to be manipulated, at next step 108,the signal of each switch is processed, and the signal is transmitted atstep 109, and the process for controlling the other electric controlunit 11 is executed at step 110. Advancing to next step 111, judging theoperating status of the engine, when the engine is working, the processreturns to step 107, and the above steps are executed repeatedly. Atstep 111, if it is judged that the engine has been stopped, the processreturns to start step, thereby waiting for the process of the abovesteps.

Herein, in this column combination switch for automobile in embodiment1, what is really processed by the microcomputer is the comparison ofthe remote keyless entry system enclosed by dotted line, steps 102 and103 of transmission, signal processing of column combination switch, andsteps 108 and 109 of transmission, and from start till stop of engine,it is the state of waiting for input of signal of remote keyless entrysystem. Thus, the time of signal processing of the remote keyless entrysystem and the time of signal processing of the column combinationswitch are not overlaid, and separation of microcomputer processing iseasy, and there is no problem in processing speed. Moreover, when thereceiver main body of remote keyless entry system is assembled with thecolumn combination switch, the wiring may be curtailed substantially ascompared with the prior art. Further, the power consumption may be savedby adding means for judging the entry of the key into the key cylinderfor engine start, and starting and stopping input waiting of the remotekeyless entry system at that moment.

As for the configuration of the receiving antenna 8, in the case of thelength of light control switch unit 2 of about 20 cm and the receptionfrequency used in the remote keyless entry system of around 310 MHz,supposing to compose a receiving antenna of ¼ λ, its length is about 24cm, which is nearly same as the length of the switch unit 2, so that theantenna may be installed in an ideal shape. Or when the receivingantenna 8 is disposed in the wiper control switch unit 3, the cost maybe reduced when the switch of which state upon getting off is fixed asshown in FIG. 5, for example, the wiring of the washer switch 32 is usedas the receiving antenna 8.

In embodiment 1, the remote keyless entry system is the radio wavesystem, but it may be also realized by a infrared ray system. The remotekeyless entry system and the column combination switch are commonly usedin the control circuit 4, but they may be also composed independently.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As clear from the description herein, according to the constitution ofthe invention, the receiving range of signal of the remote keyless entrysystem can be set wider, and by utilizing the control means of thecolumn combination switch, the individual control means may be commonlyused, so that an inexpensive system may be realized.

Description of Reference Numerals

1 Column combination switch main body

2 Light control switch unit

3 Wiper control switch unit

4 Control circuit

5 Memory unit

6 Comparator

7 Converter

8 Receiving antenna

9 Connector

10 Controller

11 Other electric control unit

12 Transmitter main body

13 Signal generator

14 Memory unit

15 Internal power source

16 Transmission circuit

17 Operation switch

18 Automobile main body

19 Column combination switch main body

20 Light control switch unit

21 Wiper control switch unit

22 Control means

23 Connector

24 Receiver main body

25 Power supply unit

26 Memory unit

27 Comparator

28 Control means

29 Receiving unit

30 Door controller

31 Automobile main body

32 Washer switch

What is claimed is:
 1. A column combination switch for an automobile,comprising: a column combination switch body forming at least a portionof the steering column of an automobile, receiving means coupled to saidcolumn combination switch body, said receiving means for receiving asignal from a transmitter of a remote keyless entry system, controlmeans for comparing said signal with a specific signal and issuing anopening and closing signal for a door lock, and transmitting means forcontrolling signals from switches and transmitting to at least one otherelectric control unit.
 2. The column combination switch of claim 1,wherein said control means is used commonly as said column combinationswitch and said remote keyless entry system.
 3. The column combinationswitch of claim 1, wherein transmitting means of said signal to saidother electric control unit is a multiplex transmission system havingtransmitting and receiving functions.
 4. A column combination switch foran automobile, comprising: receiving means for receiving a signal from atransmitter of a remote keyless entry system, control means forcomparing said signal with a specific signal and issuing an opening andclosing signal for a door lock, transmitting means for controllingsignals from switches and transmitting to at least one other electriccontrol unit, and means for judging that a key is inserted into the keycylinder for engine start.
 5. A column combination switch for anautomobile, comprising: receiving means for receiving a signal from atransmitter of a remote keyless entry system, control means forcomparing said signal with a specific signal and issuing an opening andclosing signal for a door lock, and transmitting means for controllingsignals from switches and transmitting to at least one other electriccontrol unit, wherein said receiving means has an antenna, and saidantenna is disposed at least in one of the light control switch unit andwiper control switch unit of said column combination switch.
 6. Thecolumn combination switch of claim 5, wherein said antenna is composedby using the switch wiring installed in any one of the light controlswitch unit and wiper control switch unit of said column combinationswitch.
 7. A remote keyless entry system for controlling opening andclosing of an automobile door, comprising: a portable transmitter forissuing a door opening or closing signal, a column combination switchmain body having a plurality of control switches for controlling theoperation of a plurality of electric control units, said columncombination switch main body forming at least a portion of the steeringcolumn of an automobile, a memory unit storing a specific signal, and acontroller for controlling said door opening and closing operation bycomparing the opening and closing signal transmitted from saidtransmitter with said specific signal, wherein said column combinationswitch is installed in the automobile, and said memory unit andcontroller are installed in said column combination switch main body. 8.The remote keyless entry system of claim 7, further comprising: anantenna installed in said automobile, wherein said opening and closingsignal transmitted from said transmitter is received in said controllerthrough said antenna.
 9. A remote keyless entry system for controllingopening and closing of an automobile door, comprising: a portabletransmitter for issuing a door opening or closing signal, a columncombination switch main body having a plurality of control switches forcontrolling the operation of a plurality of electric control units, amemory unit storing a specific signal, and a controller for controllingsaid door opening and closing operation by comparing the opening andclosing signal transmitted from said transmitter with said specificsignal, wherein said column combination switch is installed in theautomobile, and said memory unit and controller are installed in saidcolumn combination switch main body, wherein said controller further hasa function for judging whether a key has been inserted into the keycylinder for engine start or not.
 10. A control method for opening orclosing an automobile door, comprising the steps of: (a) issuing a dooropening and closing signal from a portable transmitter, (b) transmittingsaid door opening and closing signal to a memory unit installed in saidautomobile, in which a column combination switch main body having aplurality of control switches for controlling the operation of aplurality of electric control units is installed at least partially inthe steering column of said automobile, and said memory unit isinstalled in said column combination switch main body, (c) comparingwhether said transmission signal coincides with a specific signal storedin said memory unit or not, and (d) controlling said door opening andclosing when said transmission signal coincides with said specificsignal as a result of said comparison.
 11. A control method for openingor closing an automobile door, comprising the steps of: (a) issuing adoor opening and closing signal from a portable transmitter, (b)transmitting said door opening and closing signal to a memory unitinstalled in said automobile, in which a column combination switch mainbody having a plurality of control switches for controlling theoperation of a plurality of electric control units is installed in saidautomobile, and said memory unit is installed in said column combinationswitch main body, (c) comparing whether said transmission signalcoincides with a specific signal stored in said memory unit or not, (d)controlling said door opening and closing when said transmission signalcoincides with said specific signal as a result of said comparison, and(e) judging whether a key has been inserted into the key cylinder forengine start or not.
 12. A control method for opening or closing anautomobile door, comprising the steps of: (a) issuing a door opening andclosing signal from a portable transmitter, (b) transmitting said dooropening and closing signal to a memory unit installed in saidautomobile, in which a column combination switch main body having aplurality of control switches for controlling the operation of aplurality of electric control units is installed in said automobile, andsaid memory unit is installed in said column combination switch mainbody, (c) comparing whether said transmission signal coincides with aspecific signal stored in said memory unit or not, (d) controlling saiddoor opening and closing when said transmission signal coincides withsaid specific signal as a result of said comparison, (e) judging whethera key has been inserted into the key cylinder for engine start or not,and (f) controlling the operation of at least one of said plurality ofelectric control units when judged that the key has been inserted intothe key cylinder for engine start.
 13. The control method of claim 10,wherein said automobile has an antenna, and at said step (b), theopening and closing signal transmitted from said transmitter is receivedin said memory unit through said antenna.
 14. A column combinationswitch for an automobile, comprising: a body forming at least a portionof the steering column of an automobile; and a control circuit coupledto said body and configured to receive a signal from a key-less entrytransmitter unit and to transmit a signal to a controller of a door lockfor locking or unlocking the door lock.
 15. The column combinationswitch of claim 14, wherein said control circuit is further configuredto transmit a signal to at least one controller for operating at leastone mechanism of the automobile other than said door lock.
 16. Thecolumn combination switch of claim 15, wherein said at least onemechanism includes at least one of wipers and lights, wherein saidwipers and lights are actuated by a wiper control switch unit and alight control switch unit, respectively, that extend from said body. 17.The column combination switch of claim 14, wherein said control circuittransmits said signal to said controller via hard wiring.
 18. The columncombination switch of claim 14, wherein said control circuit is arrangedat a position at least one of on a surface of said body or within saidbody.